Flash Drive

2017 VW Tiguan

August 16, 2017 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0T SEL 4Motion

The 2017 VW Tiguan is a comfortable road car. Fuel economy is in the low twenties.

Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 turbocharged, 200 horsepower 201 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 20-mpg city/24-mpg highway/21-mpg combined

Base Price: $36,475

As Tested: $37,870

Performance:

Peppy four-cylinder engine

Good, but not spectacular fuel economy

Fine city car/commuter

Good in foul weather

Confident off-road manners

No AWD controls; everything is automatic

The rear lift gate opens high to access an ample cargo area.

Comfort:

Stretch-out driver legroom

Super stretch-out front passenger legroom

Excellent shoe room in foot well

Thick, contoured leather wrapped steering wheel

OK auxiliary controls

Three temperatures heated front seats

Driver and front passenger power lumbar support

Quality interior materials

Good rear seat legroom if fronts are up slightly

The Tiguan seats and interior quality are excellent. Front legroom is outstanding.

Excellent rear shoe room

Ample headroom

Medium rear floor hump

Two vinyl seatback storage pouches

Large rear armrest, but hard plastic

Panoramic sunroof

Utility:

Good outward visibility

Rain sensing wipers

Sunglasses holder

Medium size locking glovebox

Medium size, but deep console bin

Medium front door bins

Small, but very deep rear door bins

The thick, contoured leather steering wheel is very comfortable for long drives.

Sunvisors slide approximately 6-inches

Garment hanger hooks on “B” pillars

Four overhead grab handles

Split folding rear seats have slight incline

Flat cargo floor

Pass-through in middle of rear seat

High opening liftgate

Extra storage under floor around spare tire

Recessed cargo loops

Minimal lift-over height to cargo deck

Small receiver hitch for bike rack

The 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine produces 200 horsepower.

WOW Factors:

High quality Fender speakers in all doors

Great interior room

Whines:

Bland styling

Hard plastic rear armrest

Overpriced ($530) trailer hitch

Bottom Line:

The 2017 VW Tiguan with 4Motion AWD is a compact SUV that’s very spacious inside and has ample, versatile cargo space. Interior quality and comfort are excellent. The Tiguan does everything expected of a small crossover, but it doesn’t do anything extraordinary to differentiate itself from its competition. The lack of uniqueness gives it an appliance-like personality.